Fine Art M.S. Rau | La Suivante Du Saphir By Erte

Erté (Romain De Tirtoff)
1892-1990 | Russian-French

La Suivante Du Saphir
(The Sapphire Attendant)

Signed “Erté”(Lower Left)
Inscribed “Erté” (En Verso)
Gouache And Silver On Paper

This Distinguished Artwork Hails From The 1926 Theatrical Endeavor Titled Les Trésors (The Treasures), A Production, Likely A Cabaret, Celebrating The Natural Wonders Of The Earth. True To Its Sapphire Moniker, The Ensemble Presented In Velvety-Blue Hues Evokes The Exotic Allure Of The Renowned Gemstone Originally Sourced From Ceylon. The Attire Is A Lavish Composition, Featuring A Columnar Silhouette Adorned With Intricate Geometric Designs. The Model Interacts With A Blue Pump, Harmoniously Coordinating It With A Belt Accessory. The Ensemble Is Further Unified By A Continuous Mane Of Blue Hair That Originates From The Model’S Face, Extends Through A Headpiece And Ultimately Fastens To The Front Of The Belt. The Look Is Completed With Ornate Blue Eye Makeup.

The Artist, Russian-French Visionary Romain De Tirtoff (1892-1990), Popularly Known As Erté, Began His Artistic Journey In The Culturally Rich City Of St. Petersburg, Where He Developed An Early Fondness For Ballet And Theatrical Performances. He Moved To Paris In 1912 To Study Architecture, And Quickly Found His Creative Niche In Crafting Fantastical Costumes For The City’S Bustling Nightlife. Erté‘S Expertise, Refined Under The Guidance Of The Famed Paul Poiret, Captured The Attention Of Harper’S Bazaar, Marking The Beginning Of A Significant Partnership That Spanned From 1915 To 1936. The Artist Also Designed Sets For Notable Cinematic Masterpieces Including Ben Hur And La Bohème, And Created Sets And Costumes For Cabarets, Operas And Other Performances At The Folies-Bergères, Bal Tabarin, The Théâtre Du Bataclan And Le Casino De Paris. Often Remembered As The “Father Of Art Deco,” Erté Was A Trailblazer Whose Colorful Creations Shaped The Groundbreaking Art Deco Era More Than Any Other, Leaving An Indelible Mark On The History Of Art And Design. His Artworks Reside In Prestigious Museum Collections Worldwide, Including The Metropolitan Museum Of Art In New York, The Victoria &Amp; Albert Museum In London And The Los Angeles County Museum Of Art.

Painted 1926

Paper: 8“ High X 10 1/2” Wide Each
Frame: 16“ High X 19 1/4” Wide X 5/8″ Deep

Exhibitions:
M.S. Rau, New Orleans, Erté And The Era Of Art Deco, October 14, 2023 – January 3, 2024

Provenance:
Private Collection, Paris
Macdougall’S Auction Sale, 2017
Private Collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans